Scope
Description
Please note the contract start and end dates are to be confirmed. The dates represented in this notice are incorrect.
Network Rail is undertaking preliminary market engagement in relation to the potential future provision of frontline labour services for the Wales Route and the Western Route.
The current Frontline Labour Framework provides principal vendor arrangements for the supply of core frontline labour across geographic lots, supported by national specialist lots covering Electrification & Plant (E&P) and Signalling & Telecoms (S&T) grades. As part of an ongoing category and route-level review, Network Rail is considering whether future requirements for the Wales and Western Routes could be delivered through separate route-based frameworks, procured independently of other regions.
The services in scope are expected to include the provision of frontline rail labour to support maintenance and enhancement activities on Network Rail infrastructure, including (but not limited to):
Track (core) labour
Civils (core) labour
Trackworker protection roles
Semi-professional grades
Sentinel-sponsored and competence-managed rail labour
All supplied personnel would be required to meet relevant industry standards, including Sentinel requirements and applicable Network Rail assurance, safety and competency frameworks.
Through this preliminary market engagement exercise, Network Rail seeks to:
Assess market capability and capacity to support route-specific frontline labour frameworks;
Understand existing supplier presence and labour pool availability within the Wales and Western Routes;
Test supplier appetite to bid for one or both route-based frameworks;
Explore mobilisation, resilience and delivery considerations under a route-led procurement model;
Gather insight into potential opportunities to enhance operational responsiveness, local accountability and overall value.
This notice is issued for market engagement purposes only. It does not constitute a call for competition, does not commit Network Rail to undertake any procurement, and does not form part of a formal procurement process. Any future procurement would be subject to separate notice in accordance with applicable procurement regulations.
Network Rail welcomes responses from both incumbent and non-incumbent suppliers with relevant frontline rail labour capability.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £42,000,000 excluding VAT
- £50,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 31 July 2027 to 11 November 2029
- 2 years, 3 months, 12 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 45234120 - Urban railway works
- 45234125 - Underground railway station
- 71311200 - Transport systems consultancy services
- 71311210 - Highways consultancy services
- 79610000 - Placement services of personnel
- 50220000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to railways and other equipment
- 71311230 - Railway engineering services
- 50225000 - Railway-track maintenance services
- 79620000 - Supply services of personnel including temporary staff
- 45234100 - Railway construction works
Contract locations
- UKL - Wales
- UKK - South West (England)
- UKK11 - Bristol, City of
- UKI3 - Inner London - West
- UKI7 - Outer London - West and North West
Engagement
Engagement deadline
27 February 2026
Engagement process description
How to Participate
1. Access the Microsoft Form using the link - https://forms.office.com/e/ndSXCLmaS6
2. Review all questions carefully and provide complete responses.
3. Submit the form electronically by selecting “Submit” at the end of the questionnaire.
All responses must be submitted via the Microsoft Form. Responses submitted via email will not be accepted unless specifically requested by Network Rail.
Deadline for Responses
The closing date for submission of responses is:
27th February 2026 16:00
Responses received after this deadline may not be considered as part of this engagement.
Clarifications
If you require clarification regarding this market engagement exercise, please submit your query via email to:
Amy.Slocombe@networkrail.co.uk
Network Rail may share clarification responses in anonymised form where considered relevant to all participants.
Important Information
This market engagement exercise is for information-gathering purposes only. It does not constitute a call for competition, does not form part of a formal procurement process, and does not commit Network Rail to undertake any procurement activity.
Participation (or non-participation) in this engagement will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement process.
Network Rail reserves the right to:
• Amend or discontinue this engagement exercise;
• Not proceed with any procurement;
• Conduct further engagement activities if required
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
14 August 2026
Procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Contracting authority
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNZN-9524-VCQJ
Waterloo General Office
London
SE1 8SW
United Kingdom
Contact name: Amy Slocombe
Telephone: +447935372368
Email: amy.slocombe@networkrail.co.uk
Website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/
Region: UKI45 - Lambeth
Organisation type: Public authority - central government